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The surf culture of the 1960s lives on at Cowabunga Bay. A wood-paneled station wagon, bright floral beach umbrellas, and a 1967 Volkswagen bus parked alongside the lazy river all showcase the water park's vintage aesthetic. The 35,000-square-foot wave pool even features a backdrop inspired by drive-in theaters, allowing visitors to debate the ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey while swells roll into shore.
Despite its sunny vintage trappings, Cowabunga Bay boasts thoroughly modern attractions. The Zuma Zooma slide, for instance, drops riders from a launch capsule 73 feet above the ground and sends them flying around a 360-degree horizontal loop before they splash into a pool. The Point Panic slide provides a different sort of thrilling experience, as visitors twist and turn within a pitch-black slide illuminated by occasional bursts of color. A separate section of smaller slides and splash pools welcomes younger guests, and casual snack shops and cafes serve pizza, nachos, and classic pineapple whip.

Have some free time to kill? Head on over to Parks and Recreation Department, Bird Preserve in Henderson and explore the great outdoors.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

"Don't play games" might be classic dating advice, but Wildfire Gaming upends this adage, with gaming complexes ideal for a date night—or any type of night out, really. Couples can wink at each other across the blackjack table, or bet on their favorite team and cheer wildly at the Sportsbook TVs. For a friendly slots contest, there's more than 1,200 machines to try out, ranging from penny slots to high limit games. At one location, there's even a bowling center with a full bar, ideal for showing off excellent form or learning why people don't play kickball with bowling balls.

Embrace the natural beauty of nature with a stroll through Wetlands Park park in Las Vegas.
Service and taste make a great restaurant, and that's why you won't be disappointed by this park.
Having trouble finding that family-friendly activity everyone will love? This park is made for all ages, so little ones are welcome to come along, too.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

The first thing people notice about Circus Vargas is its big-top tent. Hand-fashioned in Milan from 90,000 square feet of cerulean-blue and sunshine-yellow fabric, the canopy, along with spotlights and saw-dust-covered floors, completed the illusion of an elegant lost era when used in the 2011 film Water for Elephants. The last thing people notice is the absence of animals. They're too busy gaping at a man balancing a 12-step ladder with his mouth.
Keeping its marvels strictly human, Circus Vargas builds on a 40-year history by blending classic feats of fearlessness with surprising new tricks. The show features magic tricks along with a skilled hand balancer, a speed juggler, and the wheel of destiny.

If it's thrills you're after, we got plenty! With exciting rides for all ages, The Namco Arcade in Henderson is your best choice for a family outing.
If you've worked up an appetite, no worries! This park also has a fabulous restaurant.
No need to splurge on a baby sitter — tots will be right at home at this park.
Parking is plentiful, so guests can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Groupon Guide

An indoor playground is a place where both you and your child can let off some steam—provided, of course, you know what to do when conflicts flare up. To really figure out the ins and outs of indoor-playground etiquette, we first had to learn what parents have the most trouble dealing with.We began our research by gathering some frequently asked questions from parenting groups on Facebook. We asked these moms and dads for their own tips and tricks before taking their questions to two experts—one a playground owner, the other an assistant manager—and getting their opinion on what actually works. Their advice boils down to what we all learned in kindergarten, including such tried-and-true lessons as “sharing is caring” and “keep your hands to yourself.”Always Be Prepared
Many parents shared a long list of things to bring: wipes, hand sanitizer, snacks, and treats. However, parents of multiples were a little more bare-bones in their approach. Said one mother of four, “With my first kid, I brought all that stuff. Now [all I bring is] a spray bottle of sanitizer to hose him down before getting into my car.”Jessica Roubitchek, owner of Chicago’s Purple Monkey Playroom (pictured in the photos), has a few more suggestions: shoes that come on and off easily, clothes that are OK to get wrecked, and an extra pair of socks. “It’s always a good idea to keep a pair of your [own] socks in the diaper bag, too,” she said.Roubitchek and our Facebook parents agreed that the most important thing to bring is an extra set of clothes. Even when they’re potty-trained, kids can get distracted when they play. “And that’s when accidents happen,” Roubitchek warned. “We’ve had situations where we needed to lend a kid a costume to go home in.”Show Your Kid How to Get the Most Out of SharingImagine your child slowly climbing up the ramp to a slide, allowing a long line to form behind him. It’s only polite to teach your child not to dilly-dally, but it’s also difficult when young ones have yet to learn empathy.
Daniel Katz, the assistant manager of Chicago’s Kid’s Island, suggested a little bit of harmless manipulation. The trick is to show your kid how he stands to benefit from being polite. The faster he climbs up that side, after all, the faster his next turn will come up. Katz framed this in a way that might get through to your child: “Helping others is also helping yourself.”
Be Extra Polite Around Other Kids and ParentsDealing with conflicts between kids or parents is a sticky situation. What happens if someone’s child is being too rough? What about that one little girl who’s only interested in what other kids are playing with? And what if the parents aren’t paying any attention to their little horror show?Many Facebook moms and dads advocated not saying anything and simply redirecting your child to a different part of the playground. When we asked Roubitchek, she suggested coming down to the other child’s level and using a nonthreatening tone. “Sweetie,” she advised saying to a pushy child, “you need to wait your turn. Where’s your mom or dad?”
Katz offered a slightly different approach: simply ask the offending child in a neutral tone, “Why are you doing that, Matthew?” Usually, parents’ ears will perk up when they hear their own child’s name. In any case, parents can be sensitive, so it’s always best to approach a situation in a polite and nonjudgmental way.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
When two kids really get into it, intervention is the best strategy for toddlers and younger children. “At this age,” explained Roubitchek, “you want to avoid [it escalating to] hitting or pushing. … They need a lot of guidance, so it’s OK to gently direct the way the situation should play out.”
Older kids, however, should probably learn how to work it out on their own. As one Facebook mom succinctly put it, “Kids need to learn how to deal with assholes. … It’s really hard not to leap to your child’s defense, but it’s important to let kids figure these things out themselves.” Of course, if you encounter a child that’s too disruptive or a parent that’s too hands-off, notify the staff. Part of their job, Katz said, is to stay on top of these situations.
Clean Up After Your Kid
During playtime, the staff is usually around to clean up the smaller messes. But if your child pulls all the costumes off the hooks or spills dolls all over the slide, you might want to help or gently nudge your child to put them back. Helping keep things neat extends to your own things, too—especially your stroller. “Not only does [folding up your stroller] make more space and less chaos,” Roubitchek said, “it prevents the safety hazard of kids climbing into open strollers.”
Try to Relax a Little
We’ll let one Facebook mom sum it up: “Bring a friend and some coffee. Let your children roam. Every parent is there for the same reason: to catch a break.”Photos by Stephanie Anderson, Groupon

Trying to motivate your children to get off the couch? It can help to present them alternatives—kids’ sports or activities—that actually appeal to their interests and personalities. We’ve created a simple flowchart that should help you determine whether your kid will be more keen on, say, baseball or basketball, or a wildcard like bowling.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with paying a $200 entry fee for a tiny glass of champagne and an unrelenting cascade of dubstep, if that’s truly how you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Similarly, if your idea of fun is standing inside a shivering mass of humanity and waiting for the ball to drop on Times Square, nobody should try to rain on your parade. But if you’re tired of the traditional New Year’s Eve options and want to get a headstart on some resolutions, we’ve compiled a list of offbeat ways to celebrate 2015. The good news? None of them involve sobbing in the bathroom. For the Outdoors EnthusiastSome people might hear the words “winter camping” and draw an immediate connection to the Donner Party. That’s too bad, because camping and the coldest season are far from mutually exclusive, and there’s something undeniably appealing about ringing in the New Year surrounded by nature. In case you’d like to grab some friends and sing “Auld Lang Syne” around the campfire, check out our 10 tip for camping in the snow—vetted and verified by an Eagle Scout, naturally.For the Artistic CoupleThe worst thing about college art class was the conspicuous absence of alcohol—an inconvenience you’ll never have to deal with again thanks to the increasing popularity of BYOB painting classes. During these informal sessions, students learn how to paint a masterpiece while helping themselves to all the drinks they can carry in. It’s a romantic way for a couple to ring in the New Year, particularly if the booze in question is bubbly. Some places provide champagne for special New Year’s events; as for the others, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing two flutes and a bottle.For Kids with Bedtimes Before MidnightChildren typically expend insane amounts of energy during the day, so they can’t be expected (or even allowed) to stay up until the ball drops. Thankfully, more places have begun to recognize this and plan Noon Year’s Eve events as an alternative to the late-night festivities. The Chicago Children’s Museum, for example, hosts a free party from 10 a.m. to noon, complete with a countdown and (far too many) noisemakers. Museums and park districts throughout the US will be planning similar activities, so check your kids’ favorites to see what’s in store.For the Active FamilyIf the kids are old enough to stay up, they’re also probably old enough to give you a run for your money in that greatest of athletic equalizers: bowling. Most alleys around the country stay open late on New Year’s Eve to host a midnight bowling party complete with flashing lights and pulsating music. Check out Groupon’s local bowling deals to find an alley near you.For the Meditative SoulWhen it comes to resolutions, some people even think New Year’s Day is too late of a start. Plenty of those people are yogis or at least yoga-inclined, judging by the uptick in yoga and meditation retreats specifically scheduled around the New Year. Those who live in colder climes might be especially interested in getting away for a few days of asanas, as retreats tend to be held in tropical locales such as Costa Rica and Mexico. Check out Groupon’s top-rated Getaways deals for an easy way to get there.For the Aspiring ChefPlenty of restaurants offer a special five-course meal on New Year’s Eve, but few offer the chance to play chef for a night. If culinary school is in the cards for 2015, there’s no better way to get your feet wet—not literally, please—than a fondue pot. The Swiss have long championed this communal style of cooking, which may involve dipping bread in melted cheese, strawberries in melted chocolate, or slabs of meat in hot oil. For a festive twist, write all of your regrets on a slip of paper and toss them into the tiny cauldron, as well. For the Wandering SpiritYou’ll probably be ready to part ways with the family a few days after Christmas, so consider taking the train home and booking your trip on the night of New Year’s Eve. Not only will your fare likely be lower, but you’ll also be able to ring in the New Year on your own terms, reading a favorite book or finishing your list of resolutions. There’s also something slightly poetic about starting the new year in a physically different place than where you ended the last.